Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has said that library movement has been the corner-stone of the so called Kerala model of development. He was speaking after launching the Total E-literacy project implemented by the P N Panicker Vigyan Vikas Kendra in Thiruvananthapuram today. Dr. Singh said, the Total E-literacy campaign would help in reducing the digital divide and improve the living standards of the underprivileged population of Kerala. He said, there is a need for such initiatives across the length and breadth of the country. E-governance will help in better delivery of services, particularly education, in financial inclusion and in e-commerce. Dr. Singh said, realising the full potential of Information and Communication Technology will help youth to be better equipped for making use of productive employment opportunities.

The Prime Minster asked IT companies to fully utilise the youth potential of Kerala, which is of highest standard. Terming IT as priority sector of the country, Dr. Singh said, tax, emigration and Visa issues faced by IT companies will be addressed appropriately by the Government.

The Prime Minister was inaugurating the Global E Learning Centre of the Tata Consultancy Services at Technopark, on the outskirts of the capital Thiruvananthapuram today.

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said, the State will become Totally E-literate within three years and would be the first in the country in achieving this goal. He said, the State has also implemented the Right to Electronic delivery of services.

Earlier, the Prime Minister unveiled the inaugural plaque of the Thiruvananthapuram Centre of the Central University at a function at Raj Bhavan. A meeting of the State Cabinet was also held at Raj Bhavan in the presence of the Prime Minister to discuss key issues concerning the State.

In the evening, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the LNG Terminal project at Puthuvypin, Kochi.